Report proposes overhaul of city’s cash-for-parks policy
Councillors shouldn’t be allowed to put their names on plaques paid for with city money, says a report outlining sweeping changes to the city’s cash-for-parks policy.
The proposed changes come months after the Citizen reported that River Coun. Riley Brockington had no money in his ward’s special account for park upgrades because his predecessor, Maria McRae, emptied the account in her final year in office, spending more than $600,000 in 2014.
And while much of the money in the ward was spent on park improvements such as new play structures and games tables, a chunk of it went to more than two-dozen commemorative benches — many of which feature bronze plaques emblazoned with McRae’s name. Each plaque cost $570, plus tax.
Approved in 2011, the policy was designed to ensure consistent and wise use of funds collected for park and recreation purposes.
But a review this spring has resulted in seven recommended amendments to make the policy better reflect the city’s transparency and accountability goals, allow for an expanded range of projects and ensure funds are used in a “fair and consistent manner,” according to a report set to be discussed by the planning committee next week.
Recommended amendments include:
Not allowing money to be spent on any items that could be perceived as promotional, including plaques or engravings containing councillors’ names, pictures or likenesses
Preventing negative account balances at any time
Publishing account balances quarterly and providing the planning committee with an annual spending summary
Allowing money to be spent on parks and recreation lifecycle replacement, repair and renewal, as well as allowing funds to advance renewal, repair and lifecycle replacement projects planned for future years
Converting three staff positions needed to deliver cash-in-lieu projects from continuous contract to full-time staff positions to encourage retention.
The cash-in-lieu money comes from property developers: When they build something new, they have to hand over either land for parks for the new residents to whom they’re selling homes, or cash for the city to use on parks instead.
The city used to keep one big fund for these projects, rather than reserving money for the individual wards where the money was raised. But now, 60 per cent of fees go to the ward in which the development will occur and 40 per cent are is directed to a city-wide account.
There are tight rules around how the money can be spent. It is OK to buy land, play structures, splash pads and site furniture, as well as cover the cost of preparing a new park site and build and expand community centres, indoor pools and arenas.
Non-capital costs (including studies and ongoing maintenance), any costs related to lifecycle replacement of equipment and any work associated with facilities or
The review proposes changes to how the public learns about city-wide and ward-specific account balances.
property the city doesn’t own are not eligible.
The review found the program collected approximately $28.9 million between 2011 and 2014.
All wards received some funds, but, by design, account balances were not equal, the report says. Wards with the most development and the least opportunity for developers to hand over usable parkland saw a greater influx of cash-in-lieu dollars, which is why Kitchissippi and Somerset wards received the highest contributions, at $3.1 million and $2.9 million, respectively.
Conversely, rural and suburban wards received the least contribution because the volume in rural areas is lower than in urban areas and suburban developers tend to give the city land for parks instead of cash.
Osgoode ward, for example, received just $143,000 in payments under the policy, while Kanata North received $188,000 between 2011 and 2014.
The review proposes changes to how the public learns about citywide and ward-specific account balances. Previously, this information was contained in a memo sent to the mayor and councillors.
The Citizen, for instance, was only able to report on McRae’s spending after obtaining a copy of a memo earlier this year that outlined the account balances as of Dec. 31, 2014.
But, if the changes are approved, the account balances will be published quarterly as an item on the planning agenda.
Changes are also proposed to prohibit accounts from going into the red, which the report says raises the possibility that a new councillor could take office with a ward account in a deficit position that needs to be corrected with funds collected during their term in office.
The planning committee will discuss the changes on July 7.